In the morning, the ring barely fits over my finger, getting out of bed is a struggle, and even the coffee cup feels unfamiliar in my hand. Is it inflammation, or is it simply a sign of ageing?
Osteoarthritis and arthritis sound similar, but they refer to different conditions. Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear of cartilage. It causes pain on weight-bearing and when starting to move, and restricts mobility. Physiotherapy, regular exercise and a healthy body weight alleviate the symptoms and keep the joints supple. Surgery is only considered if these measures are no longer sufficient.
Arthritis, on the other hand, is an inflammatory joint condition, a form of rheumatism. Joint pain also occurs here. However, the cause is fundamentally different. It is usually due to an autoimmune reaction. In addition, those affected suffer from swelling, warmth in the joints, pain at rest and pronounced morning stiffness.
Early diagnosis protects the joints
If arthritis remains untreated, it damages joints and organs. “Modern immunomodulatory therapies curb inflammation and prevent damage,” says Dr Maria Avramidou, Senior Consultant and FMH-certified rheumatologist at the Schmerzklinik Basel. She offers personalised rheumatological assessment as well as precise ultrasound-guided injections.
“If symptoms, swelling or morning stiffness persist, a rheumatological assessment should be carried out at an early stage,” recommends Dr Avramidou. This will reveal whether the condition is simply due to wear and tear or whether treatment is necessary. This protects the joints in the long term.
